Twins first baseman Joe Mauer received his first day off this year, as he was held out of Thursday's starting lineup against the A's. Mauer, whose last day off came on September 24, is sporting a .287 batting average this season but has yet to record his first home run of 2015.
Kennys Vargas took over at first base on Thursday, while Torii Hunter was the team's designated hitter on Thursday.
Twins manager Paul Molitor said he'd been looking for a chance to give Mauer a rest, according to the Star Tribune.